Ace Inhibitor Reynaud’s When Pills Create Resonance In Networks

Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor that reduces blood pressure, also messes with thermoregulation, so beware this side effect. It definitely makes my Reynaud’s worse. Selfie by FitOldDog.

Getting old comes with a tendency for us to need to take more pills, even if, like myself, you try hard to avoid all and any pills. I take Lisinopril to control by blood pressure, as the insertion of a stent graft into my abdominal aortic aneurysm, needed to keep me alive, also induced a severe increase in my blood pressure (it jumped from the normal range to 220/120). This is a long story, told elsewhere on this blog. Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and interestingly, not only does it reduce blood pressure, it also affects one’s ability to thermoregulate.

I first encountered this side effect in the form of heat stress, which ruined my 2012 Lake Placid Ironman race, and in retrospect I attribute this to the doubling of my dose of Lisinopril a couple of weeks before the race. I have also noticed that this drug does increase the severity of my Reynaud’s Disease. I address these issues by holding off on the ACE inhibitor on very hot training days or races, and during very cold weather. I do, however, monitor my blood pressure carefully to be sure it doesn’t sky rocket. My AAA stent graft-induced hypertension did largely self-adjust, fortunately, but not completely, thus the Lisinopril, which combined with exercise, seems to fix this issue.

These are the small adjustments that we have to make as deal with getting old, and they are well worth the effort. But please do it carefully, and if in doubt seek professional advice.